Wrist band and buckle therefor

ABSTRACT

An adjustable buckle for a band in which a plate is telescopically held within an open end housing containing a ratchet and a second plate is hinged to and foldable over the first plate and releasably securable thereto in folded over position and is provided with a hook at its end for engagement of the other end of the band. A pawl is secured to the first plate by a resilient arm which normally maintains the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet. The second plates is provided with a projection which engages the pawl to press it into engagement with the ratchet when the second plate is folded against the first plate.

United States Patent Kalinsky [451 Oct. 10, 1972 [S4] WRIST BAND AND BUCKLE THEREFOR [72] Inventor: Harry Kalinsky, 3530 Henry Hudson Parkway, East Bronx, NY. 10463 [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 198,261

[52] US. Cl. ..24/71 J [51] Int. Cl 5/24 [58] Field of Search ..63/3, 5; 224/4 D, 4 E; 24/68 J, 69 J, 71 J, 265 WS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,077,473 4/1937 Greenbowe ..24/7l J 2,141,068 l2/l938 Myrberg ..24/7l J 2,455,302 11/1948 Gotti et a] ..24/71 J FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 692,263 7/1930 France ..24/7l J Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attomey-Victor M. I-Ielfand [5 7] ABSTRACT An adjustable buckle for a band in which a plate is telescopically held within an open end housing containing a ratchet and a second plate is hinged to and foldable over the first plate and releasably securable thereto in folded over position and is provided with a hook at its end for engagement of the other end of the band. A pawl is secured to the first plate by a resilient arm which normally maintains the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet. The second plates is provided with a projection which engages the pawl to press it into engagement with the ratchet when the second plate is folded against the first plate.

20 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PKTE'N'TEDHBI 10 1912 3.6965469 SHEET 1 0F 2 ,i ai

FIG.4 4

WRIST BAND AND BUCKLE THEREFOR The present invention relates to a wrist band, such as a wrist watch band, and to the buckle therefor. More particularly, the invention relates to a wrist band whose free ends are connected by a buckle secured to one of its ends and is adjustable to variation in wrist thickness. The present invention is a variation of and improvement over the similar wrist band and buckle described and claimed in my copending application Ser. No. 168,130, filed Aug. 2, 197 1.

Wrist bands, such as wrist watch bands, even when initially fitted for the wearer's wrist, frequently become uncomfortable to wear because of change in thickness of the wrist due to body or enviromental changes, as changes in temperature for instance, which may cause the wrist to temporarily swell or contract while the band is being worn on the wrist.

Various means have heretofore been provided in connection with wrist bands to compensate for such temporary variations in wrist thickness. One such means consists of permanently connecting both of the ends of the band or the free ends of band sections by an integrally formed clasp permanently secured to such ends, and which includes a pair of adjustably telescoping elements. Such clasp form presents a number of shortcomings. Because of the integral construction of the clasp and its permanent connection to both ends of the band, it forms an endless band which is frequently difficult and clumsy to slip over a wearers hand. Also such band cannot be laid out flat, for full display thereof and of any watch to which it may be connected. It generally has to be displayed in circular form, mounted around a turret-like structure formed in a packaging box or case which renders such box or case relatively expensive to produce and bulky. Further such display conceals much of the band and buckle and does not lend itself to a variety of displays by the vendors of watches and bands.

Where adjustable buckles of two piece construction are used on wrist bands, each attached to one end of a wrist band, it is generally required that the buckle be opened and separated, both, for lengthening and shottening of the bands. Also such buckles were generally incapable of fine adjustment.

Both of the above prior art types of adjustable buckles had, further, the common shortcomings in having the lower or inner portions of the adjustable element or member exposed to view in substantially all instances where the band was lengthened from its minimum length, to thereby detract from its symmetry and its attractiveness.

In my said copending application, I have described and claimed a wrist band and buckle whose object is to overcome all of the foregoing shortcomings by the provision of a buckle of unitary structure secured to only one of the ends of a band, whereby the band may be conveniently and comfortably fitted over and closed an integrally connected adjustable element which is completely concealed in all of its adjusted positions, to thereby afford the band a neat and symmetrical and attractive appearance in all such positions; by the provision of a buckle capable of fine adjustment for a lengthening or shortening of the band; by the provision of a buckle secured to one of the free ends of a band that need not be opened to release the separably attached end for purposes of adjustment around the wrist; by the provision of a buckle for the band secured to one of its ends, and to and from which the other end of the band may be relatively easily and conveniently attached and released; by the'provision of a buckle for the band which affords increased safety against inadvertent disengagement of-the connected ends of the band and substantially eliminate its resultant loss.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a further improved wrist band of the character described in which the buckle is provided with more positive and safer locking means that is less likely to go out of order and is more secure against malfunctioning.

The present invention is also directed to the provision of a band of the characterdescribed whose buckle is easier to manipulate for opening and adjusting.

The present invention is further directed to the provision of a band of the character described whose buckle is least likely to catch on and snag a wearer's garment and is therefore safer to use.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the wrist band and buckle therefor of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and from the description following. It is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible and without any intent of limiting the invention to the specific details therein shown.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a wrist band buckle of the present invention as associated with a wrist watch, and shown in extended, open position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged plan view of the band and buckle assembly of FIG. 1, showing the free end of the band in engagement with the buckle, with the buckle open;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the band and buckle assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, showing a second stage in the engagement of the free end of the band with the buckle and drawn into the buckle hous- FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2, with the buckle in position of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the foldable plate of the buckle, showing details of the hook thereof.

In my said copending application, I have described and claimed a wrist band having a buckle connected to one end thereof in which the buckle comprises an elongated, U-shaped housing connectible by one end to one end of the wrist band, on the bottom of which is disposed, for telescopic movement therein, a plate to the outer end of which is hinged a second plate or member, the latter of which is provided, at its free end, with a hook for engaging an opening in the other end of the band and is releasably held in folded position on the bottom plate to thereby pull said other end of the band into the housing. The housing and plate are slightly arcuate to conform to wrist shape and is provided with a ratchet on a side wall, and the hinged member is provided with a pawl that adjustably engages the ratchet when the hinged plate is in folded position over the bottom plate. The housing is provided with a cover hinged thereon at its band connected end.

. The present invention, generally stated, departs from the wrist band and buckle assembly of my said copending application in that the ratchet engaging pawl, instead of being connected to the hinged plate to be moved out of the housing when connecting the other end of the wrist band, is connnected to the telescoping bottom plate, in a manner to be normally out of engagement with the ratchet and to be placed in engagement with the ratchet when the hinged plate is folded over and secured to the telescoping bottom plate.

More specifically stated, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the band is shown to comprise a pair of band sections and 12 each secured by one end to the spindle of a watch case 14 in the conventional manner. The buckle is connected to the other end of one of the band section, as 10, and the other band section is provided with a connecting opening 18 at its free end, which may be formed in any desired manner. The buckle comprises an outer casing, generally designated as 20, including a preferably longitudinally arcuate bottom wall, 22, having an upstanding side wall, 24, along each of its longitudinal edges. The side walls 24 support at one end a spindle, 26, whose ends project outwardly from the side walls 24. The portion of thespindle 26 between side walls 24, engages the end of band section 10 in the conventional manner. The projecting ends of the spindle 26 hingedly support a cover, generally designated as 28, consisting of a top wall 30, and depending side walls 32, which are provided with end extensions, 33, each formed with an opening, by which they are engaged over the spindle projections.

Slidably supported within the housing 20 on bottom wall 22, is a correspondingly curved plate, 34, which is held in place over bottom wall 22 along one longitudinal edge by lugs, 36, struck out inwardly from one of the side walls 24 and which overlie such edge, and on its other edge by the lower edges of regularly and closely spaced lugs, 38, struck out inwardly through the other side wall 24 and which extend in a diagonally inward direction, to form the teeth of a ratchet, 40.

Plate 34 is provided at its inner end, as on its inner edge, which is the end adjacent to spindle 26, with an upstanding lug, 42, which engages against the innermost of the struck out lugs 36 to limit the outward movement of plate 34 from the casing 20.

The opposed end edge of plate 34 has hinged thereto, as at 44, in any suitable, desired manner, a member which may preferably be in the form of a shorter plate 46, and which is provided at its free end with a relatively narrow hook, 48, that is upwardly upset and curved when plate 46 is folded over plate 34, and is adapted to engage opening 18, at the free end of the other band section 12. Plate 34 is provided adjacent to its inner end with an upwardly struck out detent element or lug, 50, over which the preferably inwardly curved nose, 52, of the hook 48 may be snapped and engaged, so that plate 34 and 46 may slide as a unit within housing 20. It will be understood that plates 34 and 46, being formed of metal, as is conventional, will have inherent resilience which will permit a snapped engagement between nose 52 and hook 48.

Secured to bottom plate 34, at the end of a straight resilient arm, 54, and in position to engage ratchet 40, is a pawl, 56. The arm 54 is preferably secured to the inner end of plate 34 and extends in the direction of its opposite end, alongside the ratchet 40 and in position to engage its teeth. Pawl 56 is so formed that it will slide over the teeth of ratchet 40 when plate 34 is telescoped inwardly and to engage the teeth to prevent the outward slide of plate 34. The pawl arm 54 may be secured to the inner end of plate 34 in any suitable desired manner, as by being formed with a wider base portion, 58, that may be folded over and crimped or otherwise secured on the marginal inner edge portion of plate 34, as illustrated.

Pawl arm 54 may be so disposed that, normally, when the buckle is open, pawl 56 will be out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 40 and above said teeth. This may be the normal consequence when the bottom wall 22 of the housing 20 is arcuate and the ratchet and place 34 are confonningly curved and the pawl arm 54 is straight, and, being secured to an end of the curved plate 34 will slant upwardly and away from the plate so that the pawl 56 at its free end will be raised out of contact with the ratchet 40, to permit the telescopic movement of plate 34 in housing 20. Means are provided, preferably on the hinged plate or member 46, for pressing the pawl 56 downwardly and into engagementwith the teeth of ratchet 40, when plate 46 is folded inwardly and over plate 34 and is engaged thereon. Such means may comprise a lug struck out from a side edge of plate 46, designated as 58, and offset therefrom in a direction to extend downwardly when plate 46 is folded over plate 34 and in position to engage against pawl 56 and move it downwardly into engagement with the teeth of ratchet 40, when plate 46 is snapped onto plate 34.

To secure the wrist band and buckle around a-wrist, cover 28 is upended; hinged plate 46 is disengaged from plate 34 and folded out of the housing 20, so that hook 48 is disposed with its recess facing upwardly. Plate 34 is then slid out of housing 20 until lug 42 is stopped by the nearest projection 36. The wrist band is then placed around the wrist and opening 18 in band section 12 is slipped over the nose portion 52 of hook 48. Plate 46 is then inwardly folded and snapped into place on plate 34, thereby causing lug 58 to depress pawl 56 to engage ratchet 40 and lock the wrist band around the wrist. The assembly of plates 34 and 46 is then slid inwardly into housing 20 to comfortable wrist band length. Cover 28 is then lowered into position, concealing the mechanism as well as the end of band 12.

Should the wrist band become uncomfortable on the writs, cover 28 may again be upended, nose 52 disengaged from detent 50 and plate 46 lifted sufficiently from plate 34 to relieve the pressure on pawl 56 by lug 58, and thereby permit the latter to become disengaged from the ratchet 40, so that plate 34 may be repositioned in the housing to a comfortable wrist length,

without the need for the first disengaging the end of band section 12 from hook 48.

It will be seen that the buckle of the present invention provides increased safety gainst disengagement of the end of band section 12 therefrom. Firstly, the cover 28 secures the assembly of plates 34 and 46 in place by inhibiting the separation of plate 46 from plate 34. Secondly, the snap-engagement of the hook nose 52 on detent 50 further secures the assembly in place. Finally, should both the cover and plate 46 become inadvertently loosend, the hook 48 will still retain the end of band section 12 from separating from the buckle.

This completes the description of the wrist band and buckle therefor, of the present invention. It will be apparent that the buckle of the invention is of relatively simple construction and easy to use, and that the band to which it is attached may be secured around a wearers wrist with great ease and comfort; that such buckle permits the band to which it is attached to be displayed in flat, extended position; that the buckle, when attached to one end of a wrist band end, engages its other end and completely conceals the adjustment mechanism as well as the other band end, to provide a symmetrical neat and attractive appearance; that the buckle may be adjusted to reduce the length of the wrist band to which it is attached without being opened at all, and to enlarge the wrist band length by being only partially opened and without disengaging the ends of the band therefrom.

It will likewise be apparent that, because the pawl and the pawl supporting arm of the adjusting mechanism of the buckle remain, at all times, within the confines of the buckle housing, without projecting therefrom, any chance of their snagging a wearers garments or other objects is completely eliminated, as well as any chance of the pawl and arm being deformed and rendered inoperative due to such snagging or like mishap.

It will be further apparent that numerous variations and modifications in the wrist band and buckle assembly of the present invention may be made by any one skilled in the art, in accordance with the principles of the invention hereinabove set forth and without the exercise of any inventive ingenuity.

What I claim is:

l. A wrist band comprising the combination of a a band with a buckle connected to one end thereof, said buckle including an open top housing having at least one open end and secured by its other end to an end of said band, said housing comprising a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall at each longitudinal edge thereof, a longitudinally disposed ratchet within said housing, a first member held within said housing on said bottom wall for longitudinal telescopic movement herein through said open end, means limiting the telescopic movement of said member outwardly from said housing, a second member hingedly secured by one end to the outwardly moving end of said first member for folding over and away from said first member, said second member having a hook at its opposed end for engaging the other end of said band, means releasably interengaging said members when in folded position against one another, a pawl within said housing arranged for engagement with the teeth of said ratchet for limiting the outward movement of said first member from said housing, resilient means connecting said pawl to said first member normally maintaining said pawl out of engagement with the teeth of said ratchet, means on said second member engaging said pawl to move it into engagement with a tooth of said ratchet when said second member is folded against said first member, and means on the other end of said band releasably engageable on said hook.

2. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein a cover for said buckle housing is hinged thereto at said other end thereof.

3. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein, the teeth of said ratcht are struck out from a side wall of said hous- 4. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein said ratchet has its teeth struck out from a wall portion of said housing.

5. The wrist band of claim 4, wherein said pawl is connected to one end of a resilient arm, said arm connected by its other end to said first member and extending at an upwardly slanting angle thereto, whereby said pawl is normally held out of engagement with said ratcht.

6. The wrist band of claim 5, wherein said first member comprises a plate resting on said bottom wall.

7. The wrist band of claim 5, wherein said pawl engaging means on said second member comprises a lung provided thereon in offset relation thereto and arranged in position thereon to engage against said pawl and depress it into engagement with said ratchet when said second member is moved into engagement with said first member.

1 The wrist band of claim 7, wherein said first member and said second members comprise plates, and wherein said means interengaging said members comprise a detent lug upwardly struck out of said first plate, said hook on said second plate having a nose portion adapted to form a snap engagement with said detent lug.

9. A buckle for a wrist band, or the like, comprising an open top housing open at least at one end and having means at its other end for attaching to an end of a band, said housing including a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall along each longitudinal edge of said bottom wall, a longitudinally disposed ratchet within said housing, a first member slidably held within said housing for telescopic movement therein through said open end thereof, means limiting the outward telescopic movement of said member, a second member hingedly secured by one end to the outwardly movable end of said first member for folding toward and away from said first member and having means at its other end for releasably engaging another end of said band, means releasably interengaging said members when in juxtaposed folded position, a pawl within said housing arranged for engagement with said ratchet, resilient means connecting said pawl to said first member and normally maintaining said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, and means on said second member engageable against said pawl to move it into engagement with said ratchet when said second member is folded into engagement with said first member.

10. The buckle of claim 9, wherein a cover for said housing is hingedly secured thereto by one end at the other end of said housing.

11. The buckle of claim 9, wherein said ratchet has the teeth thereof struck out from a wall portion of said housing.

12. The buckle of claim 9, wherein said ratchet has the teeth thereof struck out from one of said side wall thereof.

13. The buckle of claim 9, wherein said first member comprises a plate and means are provided for retaining said plate on said bottom wall.

14. The buckle of claim 13, wherein said plate retaining means comprise the teeth of said ratchet overhanging the marginal portion of one longitudinal edge of said plate, and spaced, inwardly struck out lugs on the other of said side walls overhanging the marginal portion of the other longitudinal edge of said plate.

15. The buckle of claim 14, wherein the means limiting the outward movement of said plate comprises an upright lug at the inner end of said plate arranged to engage one of said inwardly struck out lugs.

16. The buckle of claim 13, wherein said means interengaging said members in folded position comprises an upwardly extending lug on said plate, said hook having a nose portion adapted to form a snap engagement with said lug.

17. The buckle of claim 13, wherein said pawl is connected to one end of a resilient arm the other end of said arm connected to said plate at an upwardly slanting angle thereto.

18. The buckle of claim 17, wherein said means on said second member engaging said pawl comprises a projection on said second member in position to engage against said pawl.

19. The buckle of claim 17, wherein said second member comprises a plate and said means on said second member engaging said pawl comprises a lug struck out of said plate in offset relation thereto in position to engage against said pawl.

20. A buckle for a wrist band, or the like, comprising an open top housing, open at least at one end and having means at its other end for attaching the end of a band thereto, said housing including a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall at each longitudinal edge of said bottom wall; a longitudinally disposed ratchet within said housing; a telescoping member slidably held within said housing for telescopic movement therein through said open end thereof; means limiting the outer telescopic movement of said member; said member including a first element slidably supported on said bottom wall and a second element hingedly secured by one end to the outwardly movable end of said first element for folding toward and away from said first element; said second element having means at its other end for releasably engaging through an opening in the other end of said band; means releasably interengaging said elements when in juxtaposed folded position; a pawl engageable with said ratchet; resilient means connecting said pawl to said member and maintaining said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when said elements are out of engagement with one another, and movable into engagement with said ratchet when said second element is folded into engagement with said first element. 

1. A wrist band comprising the combination of a a band with a buckle connected to one end thereof, said buckle including an open top housing having at least one open end and secured by its other end to an end of said band, said housing comprising a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall at each longitudinal edge thereof, a longitudinally disposed ratchet within said housing, a first member held within said housing on said bottom wall for longitudinal telescopic movement herein through said open end, means limiting the telescopic movement of said member outwardly from said housing, a second member hingedly secured by one end to the outwardly moving end of said first member for folding over and away from said first member, said second member having a hook at its opposed end for engaging the other end of said band, means releasably interengaging said members when in folded position against one another, a pawl within said housing arranged for engagement with the teeth of said ratchet for limiting the outward movement of said first member from said housing, resilient means connecting said pawl to said first member normally maintaining said pawl out of engagement with the teeth of said ratchet, means on said second member engaging said pawl to move it into engagement with a tooth of said ratchet when said second member is folded against said first member, and means on the other end of said band releasably engageable on said hook.
 2. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein a cover for said buckle housing is hinged thereto at said other end thereof.
 3. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein, the teeth of said ratcht are struck out from a side wall of said housing.
 4. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein said ratchet has its teeth struck out from a wall portion of said housing.
 5. The wrist band of claim 4, wherein said pawl is connected to one end of a resilient arm, said arm connected by its other end to said first member and extending at an upwardly slanting angle thereto, whereby said pawl is normally held out of engagement with said ratcht.
 6. The wrist band of claim 5, wherein said first member comprises a plate resting on said bottom wall.
 7. The wrist band of claim 5, wherein said pawl engaging means on said second member comprises a lung provided thereon in offset relation thereto and arranged in position thereon to engage against said pawl and depress it into engagement with said ratchet when said second member is moved into engagement with said first member. 1 The wrist band of claim 7, wherein said first member and said second members comprise plates, and wherein said means interengaging said members comprise a detent lug upwardly struck out of said first plate, said hook on said second plate having a nose portion adapted to form a snap engagement with said detent lug.
 9. A buckle for a wrist band, or the like, comprising an open top housing open at least at one end and having means at its other end for attaching to an end of a band, said housing including a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall along each longitudinal edge of said bottom wall, a longitudinally disposed ratchet within said housing, a first member slidably held within said housing for telescopic movement therein through said open end thereof, means liMiting the outward telescopic movement of said member, a second member hingedly secured by one end to the outwardly movable end of said first member for folding toward and away from said first member and having means at its other end for releasably engaging another end of said band, means releasably interengaging said members when in juxtaposed folded position, a pawl within said housing arranged for engagement with said ratchet, resilient means connecting said pawl to said first member and normally maintaining said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, and means on said second member engageable against said pawl to move it into engagement with said ratchet when said second member is folded into engagement with said first member.
 10. The buckle of claim 9, wherein a cover for said housing is hingedly secured thereto by one end at the other end of said housing.
 11. The buckle of claim 9, wherein said ratchet has the teeth thereof struck out from a wall portion of said housing.
 12. The buckle of claim 9, wherein said ratchet has the teeth thereof struck out from one of said side wall thereof.
 13. The buckle of claim 9, wherein said first member comprises a plate and means are provided for retaining said plate on said bottom wall.
 14. The buckle of claim 13, wherein said plate retaining means comprise the teeth of said ratchet overhanging the marginal portion of one longitudinal edge of said plate, and spaced, inwardly struck out lugs on the other of said side walls overhanging the marginal portion of the other longitudinal edge of said plate.
 15. The buckle of claim 14, wherein the means limiting the outward movement of said plate comprises an upright lug at the inner end of said plate arranged to engage one of said inwardly struck out lugs.
 16. The buckle of claim 13, wherein said means interengaging said members in folded position comprises an upwardly extending lug on said plate, said hook having a nose portion adapted to form a snap engagement with said lug.
 17. The buckle of claim 13, wherein said pawl is connected to one end of a resilient arm the other end of said arm connected to said plate at an upwardly slanting angle thereto.
 18. The buckle of claim 17, wherein said means on said second member engaging said pawl comprises a projection on said second member in position to engage against said pawl.
 19. The buckle of claim 17, wherein said second member comprises a plate and said means on said second member engaging said pawl comprises a lug struck out of said plate in offset relation thereto in position to engage against said pawl.
 20. A buckle for a wrist band, or the like, comprising an open top housing, open at least at one end and having means at its other end for attaching the end of a band thereto, said housing including a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall at each longitudinal edge of said bottom wall; a longitudinally disposed ratchet within said housing; a telescoping member slidably held within said housing for telescopic movement therein through said open end thereof; means limiting the outer telescopic movement of said member; said member including a first element slidably supported on said bottom wall and a second element hingedly secured by one end to the outwardly movable end of said first element for folding toward and away from said first element; said second element having means at its other end for releasably engaging through an opening in the other end of said band; means releasably interengaging said elements when in juxtaposed folded position; a pawl engageable with said ratchet; resilient means connecting said pawl to said member and maintaining said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when said elements are out of engagement with one another, and movable into engagement with said ratchet when said second element is folded into engagement with said first element. 